Conwy county is set to share in more than £1 million worth of funding for a project to reduce waste and increase recycling.

The environment minister, Hannah Blythyn, will today announce eight new projects across Wales, worth £5.4 million, with a new 'green shed' in Colwyn Bay to be among the projects to receive funding.

The 'green shed' will see the community involved in preparing items to be reused.

Mrs Blythyn visited the Crest Centre in Llandudno last week do discuss one of the projects they will be delivering as part of the funding.

Funding will also be provided to Denbighshire County Council (£900,000) and six other counties which will be used for projects including new reuse facilities and improvements to waste collection services.

Mrs Blythyn said: “One of the best ways to reduce waste is to repair and refurbish items so they can be reused and some of these projects will improve facilities to enable this. We’re also investing in a pilot schools project to reduce waste and instil good habits from a young age.

“Where materials can’t be re-used, the next best method is to recycle, so we’re also investing in the machinery to better manage recyclable items.

“Wales is first in the UK, second in Europe and third in the world for household recycling, so out track record speaks for itself. The proportion of waste we recycle in Wales has increased dramatically, from 5% in 1999 to 63% last year.

“This range of new projects will not only help reduce waste in the coming years, it should lead to a cultural change in the longer term, helping us achieve our ambition to become a ‘Zero Waste Nation’ by 2050.”